Fabric care composition for directly applying to fabrics

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a fabric care composition containing from about 0.01% to about 1% fabric softening active by weight, a solvent, and the balance adjunct materials. The fabric care composition is substantially free of starch, and substantially free of silicone. The present invention also relates to a fabric care method having the steps of providing the fabric care composition described above, applying the fabric care composition directly onto a fabric, and ironing the fabric. The present invention also relates to a fabric care kit containing a container having a hollow body member having at least one reservoir. At least one application mechanism is in connected relation to the reservoir, and the reservoir contains the fabric care composition described above. The present invention also relates to a fabric care method having the steps of providing a concentrated fabric care composition, providing a dilution solvent, diluting the concentrated fabric care composition with the dilution solvent to form a fabric care composition, applying the fabric care composition directly onto a fabric, and ironing the fabric. The concentrated fabric care composition contains from about 1% to about 75% fabric softening active by weight, a solvent, and the balance adjunct materials. The concentrated fabric care composition is diluted with the dilution solvent at a dilution ratio of from about 1:1 to about 1:100. The fabric care composition is substantially free of starch. The present invention also relates to a concentrated fabric care kit comprising a hollow body member, dilution instructions, application instructions, and ironing instructions. The hollow body member has at least one reservoir containing a concentrated fabric care composition containing from about 1% to about 75% of a fabric softening active by weight, a solvent, and the balance adjunct materials. When the concentrated fabric care composition is diluted according to the dilution instructions, it forms a fabric care composition which is substantially free of starch.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/869,476, filed Jun. 28, 2001, which claims the benefit of PCTApplication No. U.S. 99/00577, filed Jan. 11, 1999, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to fabric care compositions. Specifically,the present invention relates to fabric care compositions for use duringironing.

BACKGROUND

Fabric softening actives are known to be added to laundry applicationsin order to provide softer fabrics, to reduce or eliminate static, toreduce or eliminate wrinkles and to enhance in-wear comfort.Traditionally, such fabric softening actives have been used to providebenefits on fabrics such as clothes. These fabric softening actives aretypically added in either the wash cycle as part of the detergent, orseparately in the rinse and/or drying cycles of a laundering operation.Thus, during the wash, rinse, and/or drying cycles, these fabricsoftening actives transfer (e.g., from solution or a dryer sheet) ontoclothes, to provide one or more of the above benefits. However, as notall of the fabric softening active is transferred onto the fabric(s), itis desirable to increase the fabric softening active's efficiency ofdeposition to as high a level as possible. This would allow formulatorsto lower formulation costs and yet provide the same level of benefits tothe consumer.

Furthermore, for a variety of reasons, such a fabric care process doesnot necessarily result in wrinkle-free clothes. For example, suchclothes, if left in the dryer, or if stored for too long before foldingand/or hanging, will develop wrinkles. Thus, clothes may requireadditional processing in order to reduce wrinkles. Ironing is a commonmethod for reducing wrinkles in fabrics and in already-launderedclothes. Starch-containing ironing compositions and methods forutilizing them are well-known in the art for reducing wrinkles infabrics, and for shape-retention. However, they suffer from certaindrawbacks. For example, starches may easily burn and turn a dark colorwhen ironed, leaving a darkened mark on clothes. Such darkened marks maybe difficult, if not impossible to remove from the fabric. Furthermore,although ironing with starch reduces wrinkles, it does so by making thefabric fibers hard and stiff. Certain consumers do not like such stifffabrics and clothes, because they often feel scratchy. Thus, treatmentwith a starch-containing ironing composition may reduce, or eveneliminate one or more of the benefits (e.g., softness) conferred by apreviously-used fabric softening active (e.g., previously used in therinse cycle). Starch also tends to make colors less vivid by interferingwith light transmission. This is undesirable, as the consumer's eyeinterprets it as a fading of the fabric's colors.

Starch-free ironing compositions and methods for utilizing them are alsoknown. Typically, such ironing compositions contain one or morecompounds, such as silicone, which interact and/or coat the fabricfibers to facilitate the ironing by reducing drag, and reducing thetendency of wrinkles to reform. Typically, such silicone-containingironing compositions form covalent silicon-oxygen linkages to formhigher molecular weight silicone-containing polymers. Such compositionsmay also provide shape-retention benefits as well. However, siliconealso possesses certain disadvantages. For example, silicone is typicallymore expensive than most of the other ingredients in a fabric carecomposition. Additionally, silicone, being an oil, is usually unstablein a dilute solution, and easily phase-separates over time, such asduring long-term storage.

Accordingly, the need remains for an improved and more efficient methodfor directly depositing a fabric softening active onto a fabric. Theneed also remains for a method for reducing wrinkles, which does notreduce or eliminate the benefits conferred by a previously-used fabricsoftening active. The need also remains for a stable, less expensiveironing composition which provides easy ironing, reduces wrinkles, andprovides soft clothes rather than stiff clothes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that when directly applied onto a fabric, a fabriccare composition may provide one or more benefits such as softerclothes, reduced static, easier ironing, improved shape retention,wrinkle reduction, a reduced likelihood of leaving darkened marks, andbetter in-wear comfort. Such a fabric care composition contains thereina fabric softening active, and is applied directly onto a fabric whichis then preferably ironed. It has now been found that with such a methodof use, the efficiency of deposition of the fabric softening active ontothe fabric is extremely high and the benefit can be selectivelyincreased for those items that are most prone to wrinkle. It has alsonow been found that such an efficient method of depositing the fabricsoftening active onto the target fabric provides significant benefits asfurther discussed herein.

The present invention relates to a fabric care composition containingfrom about 0.01% to about 1% fabric softening active by weight, asolvent, and the balance adjunct materials. The fabric care compositionis substantially free of starch, and substantially free of silicone.

The present invention also relates to a fabric care method having thesteps of providing the fabric care composition described above, applyingthe fabric care composition directly onto a fabric, and ironing thefabric.

The present invention also relates to a fabric care kit containing acontainer having a hollow body member having at least one reservoir. Atleast one application mechanism is in connected relation to thereservoir, and the reservoir contains the fabric care compositiondescribed above.

The present invention also relates to a fabric care method having thesteps of providing a concentrated fabric care composition, providing adilution solvent, diluting the concentrated fabric care composition withthe dilution solvent to form a fabric care composition, applying thefabric care composition directly onto a fabric, and ironing the fabric.The concentrated fabric care composition contains from about 1% to about75% fabric softening active by weight, a solvent, and the balanceadjunct materials. The concentrated fabric care composition is dilutedwith the dilution solvent at a dilution ratio of from about 1:1 to about1:100. The fabric care composition is substantially free of starch.

The present invention also relates to a concentrated fabric care kitcomprising a hollow body member, dilution instructions, applicationinstructions, and ironing instructions. The hollow body member has atleast one reservoir containing a concentrated fabric care compositioncontaining from about 1% to about 75% of a fabric softening active byweight, a solvent, and the balance adjunct materials. When theconcentrated fabric care composition is diluted according to thedilution instructions, it forms a fabric care composition which issubstantially free of starch.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become evident to those skilled in the art from a readingof the present disclosure with the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention it has been found that whendirectly applied onto a fabric, a fabric care composition may provideone or more benefits such as wrinkle reduction, easier ironing, shaperetention, static removal, and in-wear comfort, without reducing oreliminating the benefits conferred by a previously-used fabric softeningactive. Furthermore, it has now been found that when the fabric carecomposition is sprayed directly onto the fabric, the efficiency ofdeposition is extremely high, with virtually all of the fabric softeningactive being transferred to the fabric. This permits the use of morewater-soluble actives that are desirable for rewetting of the fabricand/or easy stain removal as well as other desirable benefits such asgerm growth prevention, malodor removal, etc. Furthermore, by directapplication, more fabric softening active can be used for those fabricsthat require more active, or which are more prone to wrinkling.Accordingly, with such direct application, less fabric softening activeis wasted, and thus the level of fabric softening active in the fabriccare composition may be significantly lower, and yet provide the same,or improved benefits. The present invention also allows a consumer toselectively treat specific garments, as desired, rather than treatingthe whole wash load. As an added benefit, this may also lower overallformulation costs for the fabric care composition, while providingperformance which is equal to or better than that of other applications,as well as making the ironing task easier due to wrinkle reduction,wetting of fabrics, and friction reduction.

All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight of thefabric care composition, unless otherwise specified. All temperaturesare in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwise specified. All documentscited are incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” means a hydrocarbyl moiety which isstraight or branched, saturated or unsaturated. Unless otherwisespecified, alkyl moieties are preferably saturated or unsaturated withdouble bonds, preferably with one or two double bonds. Included in theterm “alkyl” is the alkyl portion of acyl groups.

The term “efficiency of deposition” refers to the percent of fabricsoftening active used, which is actually deposited upon the fabric beingtreated. Such percentages may be calculated, for example, by measuringthe amount of fabric softening active actually deposited and dividing bythe total amount of fabric softening active used. Alternatively, suchpercentages may be calculated by measuring the percentage of fabricsoftening active which is not deposited upon the fabric, and subtractingthis from 100%.

The term “ironing” as used herein refers to treating clothes to reduceor eliminate wrinkles, by, for example, ironing, pressing, steaming, andcombinations thereof.

The term “previously-used fabric softening active” as used herein refersto a fabric softening active which has been used in a step (of alaundering operation) prior to when the fabric care composition of thepresent invention is directly applied onto the fabric. Thepreviously-used fabric softening active may be applied, for example, inthe wash cycle, in the rinse cycle, and/or in the drying cycle.

The term “shape retention” as used herein means that a fabric treatedwith the fabric care composition/method/kit described herein is lesslikely to wrinkle or lose its ironed shape than a comparable,non-treated fabric.

The term “starch” as used herein includes both natural and artificialstarches, as well as the classes of starches commonly known as “modifiedstarches”, and the so called “cellulosic derivatives”.

The term “substantially free of” as used herein indicates that althoughthe referred-to-materials may be present, for example, as contaminantsin minor amounts, none of these materials are intentionally added asingredients to the composition in an amount which is sufficient toprovide an effective cleaning, ironing, or fabric softening benefit.

The present invention is directed towards a fabric care composition, amethod for using the fabric care composition, and a fabric care kitcontaining the fabric care composition. Thus, the “fabric carecomposition”, as described herein indicates a composition which is readyto apply directly onto a fabric. The present invention is also directedtowards a method for using a concentrated fabric care composition, whichis diluted, and then applied directly onto a fabric. Thus, the“concentrated fabric care composition”, as described herein indicatesthat a dilution thereof is required, prior to applying it directly ontoa fabric.

Fabric Care Composition:

It has surprisingly been found that, as compared to other fabric carecompositions which are added, for example, to a rinse cycle, significantbenefits result from relatively low levels of fabric softening activewhich are applied directly onto a fabric. Accordingly, an embodiment ofthe fabric care composition herein comprises from about 0.01% to about1%, preferably from about 0.02% to about 0.8%, and more preferably fromabout 0.04% to about 0.5% of a fabric softening active by weight of thefabric care composition, a solvent, and the balance adjunct materials.Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that thefabric softening actives relax the fabric fibers by blocking thehydrogen bonding sites, in order to provide softer clothes with reducedstatic, easier ironing, improved shape retention, wrinkle reduction, areduced likelihood of leaving darkened marks, and better in-wearcomfort. It has been surprisingly found that when included in the fabriccare composition of the present invention, starch and silicone mayreduce the benefits of previously-used fabric softening actives and/orbe otherwise undesirable. Thus, in an embodiment of the presentinvention, the fabric care composition is substantially free of starch,and substantially free of silicone. Without intending to be limited bytheory, it is believed that a fabric care composition free of starch andsilicone does not reduce the benefits of any previously-used fabricsoftening actives, such as those which may have been used in a rinse ordrying cycle.

The fabric care composition and/or the concentrated fabric carecomposition useful herein may be an opaque dispersion, and is preferablyclear and/or translucent.

Fabric Softening Active

The fabric softening actives useful herein may be any of those known foruse in a laundry process. Preferred fabric softening actives includequaternary ammonium compounds or amine precursors thereof, cationicammonium softening compounds, nonionic softening compounds, and mixturesthereof.

The preferred quaternary ammonium compounds or amine precursors of thepresent invention are cationic biodegradable quaternary ammoniumcompounds having the formula (I), (II), (III), (IV), or (V), below:

wherein Q, n, R and T are selected independently and

-   Q is —O—C(O)— or —C(O)—O— or —O—C(O)—O— or —NR⁴—C(O)— or —C(O)—NR⁴—    or —(OCH₂CH₂)_(m)—O—C(O)— where m=0-10;-   R¹ is (CH₂)_(n)-Q-T² or T³ or R³;-   R² is (CH₂)_(m)-Q-T⁴ or T⁵ or R³;-   R³ is C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl or H;-   R⁴ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl;-   R⁵ is C₁-C₄ alkylene groups; T¹, T², T³, T⁴, T⁵ are (the same or    different) C₁₁-C₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl;-   n and m are integers from 1 to 4; and-   X⁻ is a softener-compatible anion, such as chloride, methyl sulfate,    etc.

The alkyl, or alkenyl, chain T¹, T², T³, T⁴, T⁵ must contain at least 11carbon atoms, preferably at least 16 carbon atoms. The chain may bestraight or branched.

Q, n, T¹, and T² may be the same or different when more than one ispresent in the molecule.

Tallow is a convenient and inexpensive source of long chain alkyl andalkenyl material. Another convenient source would be palm olein oil. Thecompounds wherein T¹, T², T³, T⁴, T⁵ represents the mixture of longchain materials typical for tallow, or palm olein are particularlypreferred.

Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds or amine precursors thereofinclude those of formula (I) or (II) or (V) wherein Q is —O—C(O)—, R¹ is(CH₂)_(n)-Q-T², R² and R³ are the same or different and are C₁-C₄ alkylor C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl or H; T¹ and T² are (the same or different)C₁₁-C₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl; n and m are integers from 1 to 4; and X⁻ is asoftener-compatible anion, such as chloride, methyl sulfate, etc.

Specific examples of quaternary ammonium compounds of formula (I) or(II) suitable for use in the aqueous fabric softening compositionsherein include:

-   -   1) N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride;    -   2) N,N-di(tallowyl-oxy-ethyl)-N-methyl, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)        ammonium chloride;    -   3) 1,2-ditallowyloxy-3-N,N,N-trimethylammoniopropane chloride;    -   4) N,N-di(palmityl-oxy-ethyl)-N-hydroxyethyl, N-methyl ammonium        methyl sulfate.    -   5) N,N-ditallow-oxy-ethyl-N,-hydroxyethyl, N-methyl ammonium        chloride. and mixtures of any of the above materials.

Of these, compounds 1-2 are examples of compounds of Formula (I);compound 3 is a compound of Formula (II); compounds 4-5 are examples ofcompound (V).

Particularly preferred is N,N-di(tallowoyl-oxy-ethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride, where the tallow chains are at least partiallyunsaturated, and N,N-ditallow-oxy-ethyl-N-hydroxyethyl, N-methylammonium chloride and its ethoxylated equivalents.

The level of unsaturation of the tallow chain can be measured by theIodine Value (IV) of the corresponding fatty acid, which in the presentcase should preferably be in the range of from 5 to 100 with twocategories of compounds being distinguished, having a IV below or above25, and a variable IV value for VI depending on the degree ofethxoylation, in which the more ethoxylation, the less IV.

Indeed, for compounds of Formula (II) made from tallow fatty acidshaving a IV of from 5 to 25, preferably 15 to 20, it has been found thata cis/trans isomer weight ratio greater than about 30/70, preferablygreater than about 50/50 and more preferably greater than about 70/30provides optimal concentrability.

For compounds of Formula (II) made from tallow fatty acids having a IVof above 25, the ratio of cis to trans isomers has been found to be lesscritical unless very high concentrations are needed.

At least 80% of the preferred diester quaternary ammonium compounds,i.e., DEQA of formula (I), (II), and (V) is preferably in the diesterform, and from 0% to about 30%, preferably less than about 25%, morepreferably less than about 20%, can be monoester, i.e., DEQA monoester(e.g., containing only one -Q-T¹ group). As used herein, when thediester is specified, it will include the monoester that is normallypresent in manufacture. For softening, under no/low detergent carry-overlaundry conditions the percentage of monoester should be as low aspossible, preferably no more than about 2.5%. However, under highdetergent carry-over conditions, some monoester is preferred. Theoverall ratios of diester to monoester are from about 100:1 to about2:1, preferably from about 50:1 to about 5:1, more preferably from about13:1 to about 8:1. Under high detergent carry-over conditions, thedi/monoester ratio is preferably about 11:1. The level of monoesterpresent can be controlled in the manufacturing of the softener compound.

Other examples of suitable quaternary ammonium compounds of Formula (I),(II) and (V) are obtained by, e.g.,

-   -   replacing “tallow” in the above compounds with, for example,        coco, palm, lauryl, oleyl, ricinoleyl, stearyl, palmityl, or the        like, said fatty acyl chains being either fully saturated, or        preferably at least partly unsaturated;    -   replacing “methyl” in the above compounds with ethyl, ethoxy,        propyl, propoxy, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or t-butyl;    -   replacing “chloride” in the above compounds with bromide,        methylsulfate, formate, sulfate, nitrate, and the like.

In fact, the anion is merely present as a counterion of the positivelycharged quaternary ammonium compounds. The nature of the counterion isnot critical at all to the practice of the present invention. The scopeof this invention is not considered limited to any particular anion. By“amine precursors thereof” is meant the secondary or tertiary aminescorresponding to the above quaternary ammonium compounds.

Other formula (I) quaternary ammonium compounds useful as fabricsofteners in the present invention include:

-   -   (i) diamido quaternary ammonium salts having the formula:    -   wherein R¹ is an acyclic aliphatic C₁₅-C₂₁ hydrocarbon group,        each R² is the same or different divalent alkylene group having        1 to 3 carbon atoms, R⁵ and R⁹ are C₁-C₄ saturated alkyl or        hydroxyalkyl groups, or (CH₂CH₂O)_(n)H wherein n is equal to 1        to about 5 and A⁻ is an anion;        wherein R¹ is an acyclic aliphatic C₁₅-C₂₁ hydrocarbon group, R²        is the same or different divalent alkylene group having 1 to 3        carbon atoms, R⁵ are C₁-C₄ saturated alkyl or hydroxyalkyl        groups, A⁻ is an anion and R² is the same or different from the        other R², and    -   (iii) mixtures thereof.

Examples of compounds of (i) or (ii) as described above are thewell-known and include methylbis(tallowamidoethyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methylsulfate and methylbis(hydrogenated tallowamidoethyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)ammoniummethylsulfate; these materials are available from Witco Chemical Companyunder the trade names VARISOFT® 222 and VARISOFT® 110, respectively: Thequaternary ammonium or amine precursors compounds herein are present atlevels of from about 0.05% to about 50% by weight of compositionsherein, depending on the composition execution which can be diluted witha preferred level of active from about 5% to about 15% by weight, orconcentrated, with a preferred level of active from about 15% to about50%, most preferably about 15% to about 35% by weight.

The pH of these compositions herein can be regulated by the addition ofa Brønsted acid. Examples of suitable Brønsted acids include theinorganic mineral acids, carboxylic acids, in particular the lowmolecular weight (C₁-C₅) carboxylic acids, and alkylsulfonic acids.Suitable inorganic acids include HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃ and H₃PO₄. Suitableorganic acids include formic, acetic, citric, lactic, benzoic,methylsulfonic and ethylsulfonic acid. Preferred acids are citric,hydrochloric, phosphoric, formic, methylsulfonic acid, lactic acid andbenzoic acids.

Cationic fabric softening compounds useful herein are described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,661,269, issued Apr. 28, 1987, in the names of Toan Trinh,Errol H. Wahl, Donald M. Swartley, and Ronald L. Hemingway; U.S. Pat.No. 4,439,335, Burns, issued Mar. 27, 1984; and in U.S. Pat. No.3,861,870, Edwards and Diehl; U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,151, Cambre; U.S. Pat.No. 3,886,075, Bernardino; U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,164, Davis; U.S. Pat. No.4,401,578, Verbruggen; U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,076, Wiersema and Rieke; U.S.Pat. No. 4,237,016, Rudkin, Clint, and Young; and European PatentApplication publication No. 472,178, by Yamamura et al., the disclosuresof which are all herein incorporated by reference.

For example, additional cationic fabric softener agents useful hereinmay comprise one or two of the following fabric softening agents:

-   -   (a) the reaction product of higher fatty acids with a polyamine        selected from the group consisting of        hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines and dialkylenetriamines and        mixtures thereof (preferably from about 10% to about 80%);        and/or    -   (b) cationic nitrogenous salts containing long chain acyclic        aliphatic C₁₅-C₂₂ hydrocarbon groups (preferably from about 3%        to about 40%); with said (a) and (b) preferred percentages being        by weight of the fabric softening agent component of the present        invention compositions.

Following are the general descriptions of the preceding (a) and (b)softener ingredients (including certain specific examples whichillustrate, but do not limit the present invention). Component (a):Softening agents (actives) of the present invention may be the reactionproducts of higher fatty acids with a polyamine selected from the groupconsisting of hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines and dialkylenetriamines andmixtures thereof. These reaction products are mixtures of severalcompounds in view of the multi-functional structure of the polyamines.

The preferred Component (a) is a nitrogenous compound selected from thegroup consisting of the reaction product mixtures or some selectedcomponents of the mixtures. More specifically, the preferred Component(a) is compounds selected from the group consisting of substitutedimidazoline compounds having the formula:

wherein R¹ is an acyclic aliphatic C₁₅-C₂₁ hydrocarbon group and R² is adivalent C₁-C₃ alkylene group, and Y is NH or 0.

Component (a) materials are commercially available as: Mazamide® 6, soldby Mazer Chemicals, or Ceranine® HC, sold by Sandoz Colors & Chemicals;stearic hydroxyethyl imidazoline sold under the trade names of Alkazine®ST by Alkaril Chemicals, Inc., or Schercozoline® S by Scher Chemicals,Inc.; N,N″-ditallowalkoyldiethylenetriamine;1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoline (wherein in the precedingstructure R¹ is an aliphatic C₁₅-C₁₇ hydrocarbon group and R² is adivalent ethylene group).

Certain of the Components (a) can also be first dispersed in a Brønstedacid dispersing aid having a pKa value of not greater than about 4;provided that the pH of the final composition is not greater than about5. Some preferred dispersing aids are hydrochloric acid, phosphoricacid, or methylsulfonic acid.

Both N,N″-ditallowalkoyldiethylenetriamine and1-tallow(amidoethyl)-2-tallowimidazoline are reaction products of tallowfatty acids and diethylenetriamine, and are precursors of the cationicfabric softening compoundmethyl-1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazolinium methylsulfate (see“Cationic Surface Active Agents as Fabric Softeners,” R. R. Egan,Journal of the American Oil Chemicals' Society, January 1978, pages118-121). N,N″-ditallow alkoyidiethylenetriamine and1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoline can be obtained from WitcoChemical Company as experimental chemicals.Methyl-1tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazolinium methylsulfate is sold byWitco Chemical Company under the tradename VARISOFT® 475.

Component (b): The preferred Component (b) is a cationic nitrogenoussalt, preferably selected from acyclic quaternary ammonium salts havingthe formula:

-   -   wherein R⁴ is an acyclic aliphatic C₁₅-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group, R⁵        is R⁴ or C₁-C₄ saturated alkyl or hydroxy alkyl groups, and R⁶        is R⁴ or R⁵ and A⁻ is an anion.

Examples of Component (b) are the monoalkyltrimethylammonium salts suchas monotallowtrimethylammonium chloride,mono(hydrogenatedtallow)trimethylammonium chloride, palmityltrimethylammonium chloride and soyatrimethylammonium chloride, sold by WitcoChemical Company under the trade name Adogen® 471, Adogen® 441, Adogen®444, and Adogen® 415, respectively. In these salts, R⁴ is an acyclicaliphatic C₁₆-C₁₈ hydrocarbon group, and R⁵ and R⁶ are methyl groups.Mono(hydrogenated tallow)trimethylammonium chloride andmonotallowtrimethylammonium chloride are preferred. Further examplesinclude dialkyldi methylammonium salts such as ditallowdimethylammoniumchloride. Examples of commercially available dialkyldimethyl ammoniumsalts usable in the present invention are di(hydrogenatedtallow)dimethylammonium chloride (tradename Adogen® 442),ditallowdimethyl ammonium chloride (trade name Adogen® 470), distearyldimethylammonium chloride (trade name Arosurf® TA-100), all availablefrom Witco Chemical Company, dimethylstearylbenzyl ammonium chloridesold under the trade names VARISOFT® SDC by Witco Chemical Company andAMMONYX® 490 by Onyx Chemical Company. Also preferred are those selectedfrom the group consisting of di(hydrogenated tallow)dimethylammoniumchloride, ditallowdimethylammonium chloride. Mixtures of the aboveexamples are also included within the scope of the present invention.

A preferred compound of Component (a) includes the reaction product ofabout 2 moles of hydrogenated tallow or palm fatty acids with about 1mole of N-2-hydroxyethylethylenediamine or diethylene triamine or1-amino-2,3, propane diol, or ethylene diamine, N-hydroxyethyl, ortrihydroxyethyl amine, or monohydroxydimethyl amine, or ethoxylateddihydroxyethyl methyl amine or ethoxylated trihydroxyethyl amine wherethe ethoxylation may contain 0 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide and ispresent at a level of from about 20% to about 70% by weight of thefabric softening component of the present invention compositions whilepreferred compounds of component (b) include mono(hydrogenatedtallow)trimethyl ammonium chloride and di(hydrogenated tallow)dimethylammonium chloride present at a level of from about 3% to about 30% byweight of the fabric softening component of the present inventioncompositions; 1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoline, and mixturesthereof; wherein mixtures of compounds of (a) and (b) are present at alevel of from about 20% to about 60% by weight of the fabric softeningcomponent of the present invention compositions; and wherein the weightratio of said di(hydrogenated tallow)dimethylammonium chloride to said1-tallowamidoethyl-2-tallowimidazoline is from about 1:2 to about 6:1.

In the cationic nitrogenous salts described herein before, the anion A−provides charge neutrality. Most often, the anion used to provide chargeneutrality in these salts is a halide, such as chloride or bromide.However, other anions can be used, such as methylsulfate, ethylsulfate,hydroxide, acetate, formate, citrate, sulfate, carbonate, and the like.Chloride and methylsulfate are preferred herein as anion A−.

Nonionic softening compounds, preferably in combination with cationicsoftening compounds are also useful herein. Typically, such nonionicsoftener compounds have a HLB of from about 2 to about 9, more typicallyfrom about 3 to about 7. Such nonionic softener compounds tend to bereadily dispersed either by themselves, or when combined with othermaterials such as single-long-chain alkyl cationic surfactant describedin detail hereinafter. Dispersibility can be improved by using moresingle-long-chain alkyl cationic surfactant, mixture with othermaterials as set forth hereinafter, use of hotter water, and/or moreagitation. In general, the materials selected should be relativelycrystalline, higher melting, (e.g. >40° C.) and relativelywater-insoluble.

The level of optional nonionic softener compound in the compositionsherein is typically from about 0% to about 10%, preferably from about 1%to about 5% by weight of the composition.

Preferred nonionic softener compounds are fatty acid partial esters ofpolyhydric alcohols, or anhydrides thereof, wherein the alcohol, oranhydride, contains from 2 to 18, preferably from 2 to 8, carbon atoms,and each fatty acid moiety contains from 12 to 30, preferably from 16 to20, carbon atoms. Typically, such softeners contain from one to 3,preferably 2 fatty acid groups per molecule.

The polyhydric alcohol portion of the ester can be ethylene glycol,glycerol, poly (e.g., di-, tri-, tetra, penta-, and/or hexa-) glycerol,xylitol, sucrose, erythritol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol or sorbitan.Sorbitan esters and polyglycerol monostearate are particularlypreferred.

The fatty acid portion of the ester is normally derived from fatty acidshaving from 12 to 30, preferably from 16 to 20, carbon atoms, typicalexamples of said fatty acids being lauric acid, myristic acid, palmiticacid, stearic acid, oleic and behenic acid.

Highly preferred optional nonionic softening agents for use in thepresent invention are the sorbitan esters, which are esterifieddehydration products of sorbitol, and the glycerol esters. Commercialsorbitan monostearate is a suitable material. Mixtures of sorbitanstearate and sorbitan palmitate having stearate/palmitate weight ratiosvarying between about 10:1 and about 1:10, and 1,5-sorbitan esters arealso useful.

Glycerol and polyglycerol esters, especially glycerol, diglycerol,triglycerol, and polyglycerol mono- and/or di-esters, preferably mono-,are preferred herein (e.g. polyglycerol monostearate with a trade nameof Radiasurf 7248).

Useful glycerol and polyglycerol esters include mono-esters withstearic, oleic, palmitic, lauric, isostearic, myristic, and/or behenicacids and the diesters of stearic, oleic, palmitic, lauric, isostearic,behenic, and/or myristic acids. It is understood that the typicalmono-ester contains some di- and tri-ester, etc.

The “glycerol esters” also include the polyglycerol, e.g., diglycerolthrough octaglycerol esters. The polyglycerol polyols are formed bycondensing glycerin or epichlorohydrin together to link the glycerolmoieties via ether linkages. The mono- and/or diesters of thepolyglycerol polyols are preferred, the fatty acyl groups typicallybeing those described herein before for the sorbitan and glycerolesters.

In addition, since the foregoing compounds (diesters) are somewhatlabile to hydrolysis, they should be handled rather carefully when usedto formulate the compositions herein. For example, stable liquidcompositions herein are formulated at a pH (neat) in the range of fromabout 2 to about 7, preferably from about 2 to about 5, more preferablyfrom about 2 to about 4.5. For best product odor stability, when the IVis greater that about 25, the neat pH is from about 2.8 to about 3.5,especially for lightly scented products. This appears to be true for allof the above softener compounds and is especially true for the preferredDEQA specified herein, i.e., having an IV of greater than about 20,preferably greater than about 40. The limitation is more important as IVincreases. The pH can be adjusted by the addition of a Brønsted acid asdescribed above. pH ranges for making chemically stable softenercompositions containing diester quaternary ammonium fabric softeningcompounds are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,547, Straathof et al.,issued on Aug. 30, 1988, which is incorporated herein by reference.

A preferred fabric softening active is selected from the groupconsisting of ditallow or dipalmityl dimethylammonium chloride or methylsulfate (DTDMAC); dihydrogenated tallow (palm) dimethylammoniumchloride; dihydrogenated tallow (palm) dimethylammonium methylsulfate;distearyl dimethylammonium chloride; dioleyl dimethylammonium chlorideor methyl sulfate; dipalmityl hydroxyethyl methylammonium chloride ormethyl sulfate; stearyl benzyl dimethylammonium chloride or methylsulfate; tallow (palm) trimethylammonium chloride or methyl sulfate;hydrogenated tallow (palm) trimethylammonium chloride or methyl sulfate;C₁₂₋₂₀ alkyl ethoxyhydroxyethyl or hydroxyethyl dimethylammoniumchloride or methyl sulfate; di-C₁₂₋₂₀ alkyl dihydroxyethyl ordiethoxyhydroxyethyl methylammonium chloride or methyl sulfate;di(stearoyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium chloride (DSOEDMAC) or methylsulfate; di(tallow-oxy-ethyl) or di(palm-oxy-ethyl) dimethylammoniumchloride or methyl sulfate; monotallow-oxy-ethyl or monopalm-oxy-ethyl,dihydroxyethyl, monomethyl, ammounium chloride or methyl sulfate,ditallow (dipalm) imidazolinium methylsulfate or chloride;ditallow-ethoxy-ethyl or di-palm-ethoxy-ethyl di-ethyl,mono-ethoxy-ethyl methyl ammonium choloride or methyl sulfate,1-(2-tallowylamidoethyl)-2-tallowyl imidazolinium methylsulfate,1-(2-palmitylamidoethyl)-2-palmityl imadazolinium chloride or methylsulfate and mixtures thereof.

Solvent

At least one solvent is provided in the fabric care compositiondescribed herein. The solvent promotes easy application of the fabricsoftening active directly onto the target fabric. The solvent alsoallows the fabric care composition to be evenly applied directly onto afabric or a portion of a fabric. In cases where a concentrated fabriccare composition is provided and diluted to form a fabric carecomposition, as further described below, at least two solvents (i.e.,the solvent in the concentrated fabric care composition and the dilutionsolvent) are provided herein. These solvents may be either the same, ordifferent solvents.

The solvent useful in the fabric care composition and/or theconcentrated fabric care composition described herein is selected fromwater, a low molecular weight organic solvent and mixtures thereof. Thesolvent employed in the instant compositions preferably comprises waterdue to its low cost, relative availability, safety, and environmentalcompatibility. If present, the water content in the solvent is generallymore than about 50%, preferably more than about 80%, more preferablymore than about 85%, by weight of the solvent. The low molecular weight,e.g., less than about 150 g/mole, organic solvents useful herein includelower alcohols such as C₁₋₄ monohydric alcohols, dihydric (glycol, etc.)trihydric (glycerol, etc.), and polyhydric (polyols) alcohols, such asC₂₋₆ polyhydric alcohols. Preferably, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol,propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof are employed herein. Morepreferably, use of the flammable alcohols (e.g., monohydric alcohols),are minimized, or avoided, herein. The amount of solvent present in thecompositions described herein is generally at least about 25%,preferably from about 25% to about 99.9%, and more preferably from about50% to about 99.9%, by weight of the fabric care composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the solvent contains from about 50% to about99% water, and from about 0.01% to about 50% alcohols and glycols. Thepresence of the organic solvents help to better distribute the softeningactives, maintain product stability, and reduce fabric wrinkling.

The present compositions may take the form of clear or translucentliquid compositions. This is particularly desirable, as the fabric carecomposition herein is intended to be directly applied to a fabric. Insuch instances, the solvent preferably is selected to minimize solventodor impact in the composition and to provide a low viscosity to thefinal composition. For example, isopropyl alcohol is not very effectiveand has a strong odor, while n-Propyl alcohol is more effective, butalso has a distinct odor. Several butyl alcohols also have odors but canbe used for effective clarity/stability, especially when mixed withanother solvent to minimize their odor. The alcohols are also selectedfor optimum low temperature stability, that is, they are able to formcompositions that are liquid with acceptable low viscosities andtranslucent, preferably clear, down to about 4° C. and are able torecover after storage down to about −7° C.

The suitability of any solvent for the formulation of the liquid,preferably clear, fabric care compositions herein with the requisitestability is surprisingly selective. Suitable solvents may be selectedbased upon their octanol/water partition coefficient (P). Octanol/waterpartition coefficient of a solvent is the ratio between its equilibriumconcentration in octanol and in water. The partition coefficients of thesolvent ingredients of this invention are conveniently given in the formof their logarithm to the base 10, logP.

The logP of many ingredients has been reported; for example, thePomona92 database, available from Daylight Chemical Information Systems,Inc. (Daylight CIS), Irvine, Calif., contains many, along with citationsto the original literature. However, the logP values are mostconveniently calculated by the “CLOGP” program, also available fromDaylight CIS. This program also lists experimental logP values when theyare available in the Pomona92 database. The “calculated logP” (ClogP) isdetermined by the fragment approach of Hansch and Leo (cf., A. Leo, inComprehensive Medicinal Chemistry, Vol. 4, C. Hansch, P. G. Sammens, J.B. Taylor and C. A. Ramsden, Eds., p. 295, Pergamon Press, 1990,incorporated herein by reference). The fragment approach is based on thechemical structure of each ingredient, and takes into account thenumbers and types of atoms, the atom connectivity, and chemical bonding.These ClogP values, which are the most reliable and widely usedestimates for this physicochemical property, are preferably used insteadof the experimental logP values in the selection of the principalsolvent ingredients which are useful in the present invention. Othermethods that can be used to compute ClogP include, e.g., Crippen'sfragmentation method as disclosed in J. Chem. Inf. Comput. Sci., 27, 21(1987); Viswanadhan's fragmentation method as disclose in J. Chem. Inf.Comput. Sci., 29, 163 (1989); and Broto's method as disclosed in Eur. J.Med. Chem.-Chim. Theor., 19, 71 (1984). The solvents herein are selectedfrom those having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 0.64, preferablyfrom about 0.25 to about 0.62, and more preferably from about 0.40 toabout 0.60, said principal solvent preferably being at least somewhatasymmetric, and preferably having a melting, or solidification, pointthat allows it to be liquid at, or near room temperature. Solvents thathave a low molecular weight and are biodegradable are also desirable forsome purposes. The more asymmetric solvents appear to be very desirable,whereas the highly symmetrical solvents such as 1,7-heptanediol, or1,4-bis(hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane, which have a center of symmetry,appear to be unable to provide the preferred clear compositions whenused alone, even though their ClogP values fall in the preferred range.

The most preferred solvents can be identified by the appearance of thefabric softener active vesicles, as observed via cryogenic electronmicroscopy of the compositions that have been diluted to theconcentration used in the rinse. These dilute compositions appear tohave dispersions of fabric softener actives that exhibit a moreuni-lamellar appearance than conventional fabric softener compositions.The closer to uni-lamellar the appearance, the better the compositionsseem to perform. These compositions provide surprisingly good fabricsoftening as compared to similar compositions prepared in theconventional way with the same fabric softener active.

Operable solvents are disclosed and listed below which have ClogP valueswhich fall within the requisite range. These include mono-ols, C₆ diols,C₇ diols, octanediol isomers, butanediol derivatives,trimethylpentanediol isomers, ethylmethylpentanediol isomers, propylpentanediol isomers, dimethylhexanediol isomers, ethylhexanediolisomers, methylheptanediol isomers, octanediol isomers, nonanediolisomers, alkyl glyceryl ethers, di(hydroxy alkyl) ethers, and arylglyceryl ethers, aromatic glyceryl ethers, alicyclic diols andderivatives, C₃C₇ diol alkoxylated derivatives, aromatic diols, andunsaturated diols. Particularly preferred solvents include hexanediolssuch as 1,2-hexanediol and 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and pentanediols suchas 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol. These solvents are all disclosed as“principal solvents” in U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,443 to Wahl, et al., issuedMay 5, 1998 with the title “FABRIC SOFTENING COMPOUND/COMPOSITION”; andU.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 08/621,019; 08/620,627; 08/620,767;08/620,513; 08/621,285; 08/621,299; 08/621,298; 08/620,626; 08/620,625;08/620,772; 08/621,281; 08/620,514; and 08/620,958, all filed Mar. 22,1996 and all having the title “CONCENTRATED, STABLE, PREFERABLY CLEAR,FABRIC SOFTENING COMPOSITION”.

Adjunct Materials

The balance of the fabric care composition is comprised of adjunctmaterials useful in fabric care compositions, and ironing spraycompositions. Any such materials may be useful herein as long as they donot reduce or eliminate the benefits provided by any previously-usedfabric softening actives. For example, such adjunct materials mayinclude perfumes, surfactants, antibacterial agents, pH buffers, dyes,optical brighteners, viscosity/dispersability modifiers, dye transferinhibition agents, soil release agents, phase stabilizers, stabilizers,and mixtures thereof. Preferred adjunct materials include, surfactants,buffers, viscosity modifiers, and perfumes, and mixtures thereof.

Because the fabric care composition may be sprayed directly onto thefabric to be treated, relatively low levels of such adjunct materialsare typically required. Without intending to be limited by theory, it isbelieved that the high efficiency of deposition allows such relativelysmall amounts of such adjunct materials to still provide significantbenefits. Accordingly, if present, each adjunct material typicallycomprises from about 0.001 to about 10%, preferably from about 0.01% toabout 5%, and more preferably from about 0.01% to about 3% of the fabriccare composition, unless otherwise specifically noted, below.

The perfumes useful herein include those commonly used in fabric carecompositions, and are commonly available from, for example, Firmenich,Inc. of Princeton, N.J., U.S.A.; and Givaudan Corporation, of Clifton,N.J., U.S.A.

Surfactants are typically selected from the group consisting of singlelong chain alkyl cationic surfactants; nonionic surfactants; amineoxides; fatty acids; or mixtures thereof, typically used at a level offrom 0% to about 30% of the composition. In addition, the compositionsof the present invention may include less than about 10% by weight of anamphoteric surfactant. Preferably, the compositions include less thanabout 5% and more preferably less than about 1% by weight of anamphoteric surfactant. As is further discussed below, surfactants mayalso be present as viscosity/dispersability modifiers.

Antibacterial agents are useful herein to prevent growth of bacteria inthe fabric care composition during storage. As an additional benefit,antibacterial agents may also provide a disinfecting benefit on thefabric to be treated. The antibacterial agents useful herein includebenzalkonium chloride, glutaraldehyde, and mixtures thereof. These arecommonly available from, for example, Alkaquat DMB-451-50 fromRhone-Poulenc Inc., North American Chemicals, Surfactants & Specialtiesof Cranbury, New Jersey, U.S.A.; and AQUCAR® Microbiocides from UnionCarbide Corporation, of Danbury, Conn., U.S.A.

An especially preferred antibacterial agent is KATHON® by Rohm and Haas,Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. This antibacterial agent is available aseither Kathon CG or Kathon CG II.

The fabric care composition may also contain one or more commonly knownpH buffers to maintain the composition at a constant pH during storageand use.

Certain dyes may also be useful herein and may be easily purchasedthroughout the world; however, care should be taken to avoid dyes or dyelevels which may stain or otherwise discolor the fabrics to be treated.Accordingly, if present, low levels of water-soluble dyes are preferredto minimize the potential concern of fabric staining.

Optical brighteners may also be present herein. Commercial opticalbrighteners which may be useful in the present invention can beclassified into subgroups, which include, but are not necessarilylimited to, derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, carboxylicacid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiphene-5,5-dioxide, azoles, 5- and6-membered-ring heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents. Examplesof such optical brighteners are disclosed in “The Production andApplication of Fluorescent Brightening Agents”, M. Zahradnik, Publishedby John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982). Specific examples of opticalbrighteners which are useful in the present fabric care composition arethose identified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,856, issued to Wixon on Dec. 13,1988. These brighteners include the PHORWHITE™ series of brightenersfrom Verona. Other brighteners disclosed in this reference include:Tinopal UNPA, Tinopal CBS and Tinopal 5BM; available from Ciba-Geigy;Artic White CC and Artic White CWD, available from Hilton-Davis, locatedin Italy; the 2-(4-stryl-phenyl)-2H-napthol[1,2-d]triazoles;4,4′-bis-(1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-stilbenes; 4,4′-bis(stryl)bisphenyls; andthe aminocoumarins. Specific examples of these brighteners include4-methyl-7-diethyl-amino coumarin; 1,2-bis(-venzimidazol-2-yl)ethylene;1,3-diphenyl-phrazolines; 2,5-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene;2-strylnapth-[1,2-d]oxazole; and2-(stilbene-4-yl)-2H-naphtho-[1,2-d]triazole. See also U.S. Pat. No.3,646,015, issued Feb. 29, 1972 to Hamilton. Anionic brighteners arepreferred herein. Viscosity/dispersability modifiers can be added forthe purpose of facilitating the solubilization and/or dispersion,concentration, and/or improving phase stability (e.g., viscositystability). Some preferred dispersability modifiers may include:

(A) Single-Long-Chain Alkyl Cationic Surfactant

The mono-long-chain-alkyl (water-soluble) cationic surfactants in liquidcompositions are at a level of from 0% to about 30%, preferably fromabout 0.01% to about 10%, the total single-long-chain cationicsurfactant present being at least at an effective level.

Such mono-long-chain-alkyl cationic surfactants useful in the presentinvention are, preferably, quaternary ammonium salts of the generalformula:(R²N+R₃)X⁻wherein the R² group is a C₁₀-C₂₂ hydrocarbon group, preferably C₁₂-C₁₈alkyl group or the corresponding ester linkage interrupted group with ashort alkylene (C₁-C₄) group between the ester linkage and the N, andhaving a similar hydrocarbon group, e.g., a fatty acid ester of choline,preferably C₁₂-C₁₄ (coco) choline ester and/or C₁₆-C₁₈ tallow cholineester; each R is a C₁-C₄ alkyl or substituted (e.g., hydroxy) alkyl, orhydrogen, preferably methyl, and the counterion X⁻ is a softenercompatible anion, for example, chloride, bromide, methyl sulfate, etc.

The ranges above represent the amount of the single-long-chain-alkylcationic surfactant which is preferably added to the composition of thepresent invention. The ranges do not include the amount of monoesterwhich is already present in component (A), the diester quaternaryammonium compound, the total present being at least at an effectivelevel.

The long chain group R², of the single-long-chain-alkyl cationicsurfactant, typically contains an alkyl, or alkylene group having fromabout 10 to about 22 carbon atoms, preferably from about 12 to about 16carbon atoms for solid compositions, and preferably from about 12 toabout 18 carbon atoms for liquid compositions. This R² group can beattached to the cationic nitrogen atom through a group containing one,or more, ester, amide, ether, amine, etc., preferably ester, linkinggroups which can be desirable for increased hydrophilicity,biodegradability, etc. Such linking groups are preferably within aboutthree carbon atoms of the nitrogen atom. Suitable biodegradablesingle-long-chain alkyl cationic surfactants containing an ester linkagein the long chain are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,738, Hardy andWalley, issued Jun. 20, 1989, said patent being incorporated herein byreference.

It will be understood that the main function of the water-solublecationic surfactant is to lower the composition's viscosity and/orincrease the dispersability of the diester softener compound and it isnot, therefore, essential that the cationic surfactant itself havesubstantial softening properties, although this may be the case. Also,surfactants having only a single long alkyl chain, presumably becausethey have greater solubility in water, can protect the diester softenerfrom interacting with anionic surfactants and/or detergent builders thatmay be carried over from a previous laundering step.

Other cationic materials with ring structures such as alkyl imidazoline,imidazolinium, pyridine, and pyridinium salts having a single C₁₂-C₃₀alkyl chain can also be used. Typically, a very low pH is required tostabilize ring structures, e.g., imidazoline.

Some alkyl imidazolinium salts useful in the present invention have thegeneral formula:

wherein Y² is —C(O)—O—, —O—(O)—C—, —C(O)—N(R⁵), or —N(R⁵)—C(O)— in whichR⁵ is hydrogen or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical; R⁶ is a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical; R⁷and R⁸ are each independently selected from R and R² as defined hereinbefore for the single-long-chain cationic surfactant with only one beingR².

Some alkyl pyridinium salts useful in the present invention have thegeneral formula:

wherein R² and X⁻ are as defined above. A typical material of this typeis cetyl pyridinium chloride.

Amine oxides can also be used. Suitable amine oxides include those withone alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl, moiety of about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms,preferably from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, more preferably fromabout 12 to about 14 carbon atoms, and two alkyl moieties selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containingfrom one to about three carbon atoms.

Examples of amine oxides include: dimethyloctylamine oxide;diethyldecylamine oxide; dimethyldodecylamine oxide;dipropyltetradecylamine oxide; dimethyl-2-hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide;dimethylcoconutalkylamine oxide; and bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylamineoxide.

(B) Nonionic Surfactant (Alkoxylated Materials)

Suitable nonionic surfactants to serve as the viscosity/dispersabilitymodifier include addition products of ethylene oxide and, optionally,propylene oxide, with fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty amines, etc.They are referred to herein as ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylatedfatty acids, and ethoxylated fatty amines.

Any of the alkoxylated materials of the particular type describedhereinafter can be used as the nonionic surfactant. In general terms,the nonionic herein, when used alone, are at a level of from 0% to about30%, preferably from about 0.001% to about 20%, more preferably fromabout 0.01% to about 10%. Suitable compounds are substantiallywater-soluble surfactants of the general formula:R²—Y—(C₂H₄₀)_(z)—C₂H₄OHwherein R² is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondaryand branched chain alkyl and/or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary,secondary and branched chain alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary,secondary and branched chain alkyl- and alkenyl-substituted phenolichydrocarbyl groups; said hydrocarbyl groups having a hydrocarbyl chainlength of from about 6 to about 20, preferably from about 7 to about 18carbon atoms. More preferably the hydrocarbyl chain length is from about8 to about 18 carbon atoms. In the general formula for the ethoxylatednonionic surfactants herein, Y is typically —O—, —C(O)O—, —C(O)N(R)—, or—C(O)N(R)R—, preferably —O—, and in which R², and R, when present, havethe meanings given herein before, and/or R can be hydrogen, and z is atleast about 8, preferably at least about 10-11. Performance and,usually, stability of the softener composition decrease when fewerethoxylate groups are present.

The nonionic surfactants herein are characterized by an HLB(hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of from about 7 to about 20, preferablyfrom about 8 to about 15. Of course, by defining R² and the number ofethoxylate groups, the HLB of the surfactant is, in general, determined.However, it is to be noted that the nonionic ethoxylated surfactantsuseful herein, for concentrated liquid compositions, contain relativelylong chain R² groups and are relatively highly ethoxylated. Whileshorter alkyl chain surfactants having short ethoxylated groups canpossess the requisite HLB, they are not as effective herein.

Nonionic surfactants as the viscosity/dispersability modifiers arepreferred over the other modifiers disclosed herein for compositionswith higher levels of perfume.

Examples of nonionic surfactants follow. The nonionic surfactants ofthis invention are not limited to these examples. In the examples, theinteger defines the number of ethoxy (EO) groups in the molecule.

(C) Straight-Chain, Primary Alcohol Alkoxylates

The deca-, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, and pentadecaethoxylates ofn-hexadecanol, and n-octadecanol having an HLB within the range recitedherein are useful viscosity/dispersability modifiers in the context ofthis invention. Exemplary ethoxylated primary alcohols useful herein asthe viscosity/dispersability modifiers of the compositions aren-C₁₈EO(10), n-C₉EO(11), and n-C₁₀EO(11). The ethoxylates of mixednatural or synthetic alcohols in the “tallow” chain length range arealso useful herein. Specific examples of such materials include tallowalcohol-EO(11), tallow alcohol-EO(18), and tallow alcohol-EO(25).

(D) Straight-Chain, Secondary Alcohol Alkoxylates

The deca-, undeca-, dodeca-, tetradeca-, pentadeca-, octadeca-, andnonadeca-ethoxylates of 3-hexadecanol, 2-octadecanol, 4-eicosanol, and5-eicosanol having and HLB within the range recited herein are usefulviscosity/dispersability modifiers in the context of this invention.Exemplary ethoxylated secondary alcohols useful herein as theviscosity/dispersability modifiers of the compositions are: 2-C₁₆EO(11);2-C₂₀EO(111); and 2-C₁₆EO(14).

(E) Alkyl Phenol Alkoxylates

As in the case of the alcohol alkoxylates, the hexa- throughoctadeca-ethoxylates of alkylated phenols, particularly monohydricalkylphenols, having an HLB within the range recited herein are usefulas the viscosity/dispersability modifiers of the instant compositions.The hexa- through octadeca-ethoxylates of p-tridecylphenol,m-pentadecylphenol, and the like, are useful herein. Exemplaryethoxylated alkylphenols useful as the viscosity/dispersabilitymodifiers of the mixtures herein are: p-tridecylphenol EO(11) andp-pentadecylphenol EO(18).

As used herein and as generally recognized in the art, a phenylene groupin the nonionic formula is the equivalent of an alkylene groupcontaining from 2 to 4 carbon atoms. For present purposes, nonionicscontaining a phenylene group are considered to contain an equivalentnumber of carbon atoms calculated as the sum of the carbon atoms in thealkyl group plus about 3.3 carbon atoms for each phenylene group.

(F) Olefinic Alkoxylates

The alkenyl alcohols, both primary and secondary, and alkenyl phenolscorresponding to those disclosed immediately hereinabove can beethoxylated to an HLB within the range recited herein and used as theviscosity/dispersability modifiers of the instant compositions.

(G) Branched Chain Alkoxylates

Branched chain primary and secondary alcohols which are available fromthe well-known “OXO” process can be ethoxylated and employed as theviscosity/dispersability modifiers of compositions herein.

The above ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are useful in the presentcompositions alone or in combination, and the term “nonionic surfactant”encompasses mixed nonionic surface active agents.

(H) Mixtures

The term “mixture” includes the nonionic surfactant and thesingle-long-chain-alkyl cationic surfactant added to the composition inaddition to any monoester present in the DEQA.

Mixtures of the above viscosity/dispersability modifiers are highlydesirable. The single long chain cationic surfactant provides improveddispersability and protection for the primary DEQA against anionicsurfactants and/or detergent builders that are carried over from thewash solution. The viscosity/dispersability modifiers are present at alevel of from about 0.1% to about 30%, preferably from about 0.2% toabout 20%, by weight of the composition.

Dye transfer inhibition agents may also be present herein. Generally,such dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyvinyl pyrrolidonepolymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidoneand N-vinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases, andmixtures thereof. If used, these agents typically comprise from about0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition, preferably from about0.01% to about 5%, and more preferably from about 0.05% to about 2%. Thepresent invention also may employ as a dye transfer inhibitor apolyvinylpyrrolidone (“PVP”) having an average molecular weight of fromabout 5,000 to about 400,000, preferably from about 5,000 to about200,000, and more preferably from about 5,000 to about 50,000.

A soil release agent (SRA) may also be present herein as an adjunctmaterial. SRA's typically have hydrophilic segments to hydrophilize thesurface of hydrophobic fibers such as polyester and nylon, andhydrophobic segments to deposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remainadhered thereto through completion of washing and rinsing cycles,thereby serving as an anchor for the hydrophilic segments. This canenable stains occurring subsequent to treatment with the SRA to be moreeasily cleaned in later washing procedures. SRA's can include a varietyof charged, e.g., anionic or even cationic species, see U.S. Pat. No.4,956,447, issued Sep. 11, 1990 to Gosselink, et al., as well asnoncharged monomer units, and their structures may be linear, branchedor even star-shaped. They may include capping moieties which areespecially effective in controlling molecular weight or altering thephysical or surface-active properties. Structures and chargedistributions may be tailored for application to different fiber ortextile types and for varied detergent or detergent additive products.See also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,451, issued Nov. 6, 1990 to Scheibel andGosselink.

Phase stabilizers are also useful herein, in order to prevent phaseseparation of the compositions herein. For example, a proper blend ofnonionic surfactants and cationic surfactants may be incorporated toenhance phase stability. Examples of such a system include the 1:1mixture of C₁₀E₁₀ and n-dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, or the 1:2mixture of n-C₁₂E₉, n-dodecyl dihydroxyethyl monomethyl ammonium methylsulfate.

Stabilizers may be present in the compositions of the present invention.The term “stabilizer,” as used herein, includes antioxidants andreductive agents both of which are well-known in the art. These agentsare present at a level of from 0% to about 2%, preferably from about0.01% to about 0.2%, more preferably from about 0.035% to about 0.1% byweight of the composition for antioxidants, and more preferably fromabout 0.01% to about 0.2% by weight of the composition for reductiveagents. These assure good odor stability under long term storageconditions for the compositions and compounds stored in molten form. Theuse of antioxidants and reductive agent stabilizers is especiallydesirable for low scent (low perfume) products.

Other preferred optional ingredients include, but are not limited to,suds suppressors, dye fixing agents, light fading protection agents,oxygen bleach protection agents, fabric softening clay, anti-staticagents, other active ingredients, carriers, hydrotropes, processingaids, preservatives, opacifiers, anti-shrinkage agents, anti-wrinkleagents, fabric crisping agents, spotting agents, germicides, fungicides,anti-corrosion agents, cellulases, and the like.

The fabric softening active, solvent, and adjunct materials may becombined by liquid mixing processes known in the art. Preferredequipment includes a liquid blender or mixer which combines and/orhomogenizes the ingredients herein to form the fabric care compositionor the concentrated fabric care composition herein. Preferably, thesoftening actives are firstly mixed with one or more organic solventsand the selected nonionic surfactant to give a free flowing liquid atthe desired process temperature, before adding water to provide the bestpossible dispersion. If desired, the water can be heated to around 60°C. before mixing with the actives for even better dispersion.

Concentrated Fabric Care Composition

In an embodiment of the present invention, a concentrated fabric carecomposition is provided herein. The ingredients useful in theconcentrated fabric care composition are the same as is described abovefor the fabric care composition, except for one important point. Asphase-separation of silicone and oils is less of a problem in aconcentrated form, e.g., where one or more silicone/oil stabilizers maybe provided, the concentrated fabric care composition may includesilicone therein. However, the concentrated fabric care compositionremains substantially free of starch.

With respect to the levels of other ingredients, their final levelsafter dilution to form the fabric care composition should correspond tothe levels described above. However, it is recognized herein that slightdilution differences may occur, and active levels resulting from suchdilution variations are also included herein. Accordingly, any specificingredient level in the concentrated fabric care composition may bedetermined by: starting with the desired level in the (ready-to-use)fabric care composition and multiplying it by the desired dilutionfactor, to obtain the desired level in the concentrated fabric carecomposition. The concentrated fabric care composition may then beadjusted, to achieve the desired ingredient levels. Typically, thesolvent level of the concentrated fabric care composition is adjusted tocompensate for any changes. For example, if the desired fabric softeningactive level in the fabric care composition is about 0.3% and thedilution factor is about 1:39, then the concentrated fabric carecomposition should contain about 12% (i.e., 0.3%*40) fabric softeningactive.

The concentrated fabric care compositions herein are intended to bediluted by a dilution solvent, at a dilution ratio of from about 1:1 toabout 1:100, preferably from about 1:5 to about 1:50, and morepreferably from 1:10 to about 1:30. Accordingly, the concentrated fabriccare composition contains from about 0.5% to about 75%, preferably fromabout 2.5% to about 50%, and more preferably from about 5% to about 35%of a fabric softening active by weight of the concentrated fabric carecomposition. The concentrated fabric care composition also contains asolvent, and the balance adjunct materials.

The dilution solvent may be any of the solvents described above, but ispreferably water such as tap water, deionized water, or distilled water.This allows a consumer to dilute the concentrated fabric carecomposition immediately prior to use.

Silicone is known to provide smooth ironing benefits, lubricity, andshape retention benefits. The silicone which may be present in theconcentrated fabric care composition includes, for example, siliconegels, silicone fluids, silicone gum, and cross-linked silicone resins,as well as both linear silicone and branched silicone. Without intendingto be limited by theory, it is believed that the silicone useful hereintypically forms cross-linked silicon-oxygen, silicon-amine,silicon-epoxy, and/or silicon-carboxy linkages to providewrinkle-reduction and ironing benefits. Included herein are the curableamine-functional silicones of EP 0 378 871 A2, to Coffindaffer,published on Jul. 25, 1990; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,391 to Tanaka et.al., issued Dec. 6, 1983. Such silicones are available from Dow Corning(USA), as Silicone 531 and Silicone 536; General Electric (USA), as SF1706; and others. Specific examples of a preferred silicone gum includespolydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), poly(dimethylsiloxane methylvinylsiloxane)copolymer, poly(dimethylsiloxane diphenylsiloxane methylvinylsiloxane)copolymer and mixtures thereof. If present, the concentrated fabric carecomposition described herein, contain by weight of the concentratedfabric care composition, from about 0.1% to about 33%, preferably fromabout 0.5% to about 20%, and more preferably from about 1% to about 10%silicone.

Method of Use:

As opposed to, for example, rinse-added fabric softening compositions,the fabric care composition described herein is intended to be applieddirectly onto a fabric, and is preferably used as an ironingcomposition. Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention is alsodirected towards a fabric care method comprising the steps of providinga fabric care composition, applying the fabric care composition directlyonto a fabric, and ironing the fabric. Thus, an embodiment of the fabriccare composition as described herein comprises from about 0.01% to about1%, preferably from about 0.02% to about 0.8%, and more preferably fromabout 0.04% to about 0.5% of a fabric softening active by weight of thefabric care composition, a solvent, and the balance adjunct materials.This fabric care composition is substantially free of starch, andsubstantially free of silicone.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a concentratedfabric care composition is useful herein, if diluted and applieddirectly onto a fabric. Accordingly, the present invention also relatesto a fabric care method having the steps of providing a concentratedfabric care composition, providing a dilution solvent, diluting theconcentrated fabric care composition with the dilution solvent to form afabric care composition, applying the fabric care composition directlyonto a fabric, and ironing the fabric. The concentrated fabric carecomposition contains from about 0.5% to about 75%, preferably from about2.5% to about 50%, and more preferably from about 5% to about 35%,fabric softening active by weight of the concentrated fabric carecomposition. The concentrated fabric care composition also contains asolvent, and the balance adjunct materials. The concentrated fabric carecomposition is substantially free of starch. The concentrated fabriccare composition is diluted with the dilution solvent at a dilutionratio of from about 1:1 to about 1:100, preferably from about 1:5 toabout 1:50, and more preferably from 1:10 to about 1:30, to form thefabric care composition, which is then ready to use. This method mayfurther comprise a step of agitating the fabric care composition viashaking, mixing, etc., in order to homogenize the fabric carecomposition prior to application directly onto the fabric.

All of the fabric care compositions described herein are intended forapplying directly onto fabric, as opposed to typical fabric softenercompositions which are applied to the wash cycle, the rinse cycle, or tothe drying cycle, and from there onto the fabrics. The present inventionis preferably directly applied onto an already-laundered fabric, andthen immediately ironed, to provide the most significant benefitsdescribed above. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the fabric issubjected to a laundering step prior to applying the fabric carecomposition. Such a laundering step includes all types of laundering,preferably, but not limited to, hand washing, machine washing, rinsing,soaking, dryer drying, line drying, dry cleaning, and combinationsthereof.

The fabric care composition may be applied directly to the fabric by anymethod. For example, by pouring, or by an application mechanism. In ahighly preferred embodiment, a fabric care kit is provided, wherein thefabric care kit comprises a hollow body member having at least onereservoir, and at least one application mechanism in connected relationto the reservoir. The reservoir contains a fabric care composition asdescribed herein, which comprises from about 0.01% to about 1%,preferably from about 0.02% to about 0.8%, and more preferably fromabout 0.04% to about 0.5% of a fabric softening active by weight of thefabric care composition, a solvent, and the balance adjunct materials.The fabric care composition is substantially free of starch, andsubstantially free of silicone.

In an alternate, but highly preferred embodiment, a concentrated fabriccare kit is provided, comprising a hollow body member, dilutioninstructions, application instructions, and ironing instructions. Thehollow body member (as described below) having at least one reservoir isprovided, containing a concentrated fabric care composition. Theconcentrated fabric care composition contains from about 0.5% to about75%, preferably from about 2.5% to about 50%, and more preferably fromabout 5% to about 35%, of a fabric softening active by weight of theconcentrated fabric care composition, a solvent, and the balance adjunctmaterials. The concentrated fabric softening composition issubstantially free of starch. Preferably, a separate spray bottle mayalso be provided, but is empty until the consumer dilutes theconcentrated cleaning composition therein.

The hollow body member useful herein contains at least one reservoirwhich holds the fabric care composition until it is to be applied onto afabric. The hollow body member may be any of the ones commonly used forcontaining, for example, hard surface cleaner compositions. Examples ofuseful hollow body members such as bottles are those in U.S. Design Pat.Nos. 244,991, Weekman et al., issued Jul. 12, 1977; and 275,078,Wassergord et al., issued Aug. 14, 1984. The hollow body member ispreferably sized and shaped so as to be easily held in the hand.Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the reservoir should be sizedto hold at least enough fabric care composition to effectively treat atleast, for example, one average shirt. The reservoir herein preferablyholds from about 25 mL to about 1500 mL, more preferably from about 100mL to about 1000 mL, and even more preferably from about 200 mL to about750 mL of fabric care composition.

The application mechanism is in connected relation to the reservoir,such that the fabric care composition may flow from the reservoir to theapplication mechanism, and from there be applied onto the fabric. Theapplication mechanism preferably provides a measured amount of fabriccare composition per application.

The fabric care composition herein is preferably applied directly ontothe fabric by spraying via a fine mist. Without intending to be limitedby theory, spraying is preferred because it allows neat, convenient, andeven application of the fabric care composition directly onto a fabric.Such spraying may be accomplished by use of a propellant, or without apropellant, e.g., via a manual pumping mechanism. Accordingly, in apreferred embodiment, the application mechanism comprises a sprayingmechanism. Such a spraying mechanism is typically a pump-type, ortrigger-type spraying mechanism. Typical spraying mechanisms aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,223, Nozawa, issued Apr. 4, 1978; U.S.Pat. No. 4,161,288, McKinney, issued Jul. 17, 1979; U.S. Pat. No.4,558,821, Tada et al., issued Dec. 17, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,917,Saito et al., issued Mar. 6, 1984; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,835, Tasaki,issued Apr. 11, 1989. The spraying mechanisms herein are typically thosethat act upon a discrete amount of the composition itself, typically bymeans of a piston that displaces the composition and expels thecomposition through a nozzle to create a spray of thin liquid. Preferredspraying mechanisms provide desirable characteristics such as auniformly small droplet size, a highly directional spray which does notcontaminate the surrounding area, and combinations thereof. Containerscommonly known as “spray bottles” are thus preferred herein.

The hollow body member, reservoir, and/or application mechanism may beconstructed of any material compatible with the fabric care composition,such as rubber, plastic, glass, metal, and combinations thereof.However, preferred construction materials include rubber and plastic,even more preferably polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride,acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyethyleneterephthalate, and combinations thereof of sufficient rigidity to servetheir functions. Preferred construction methods for the hollow bodymember, reservoir, and/or application mechanism may be formed viaproduction processes known in the art, such as blow molding, injectionmolding, injection blow molding, vacuum forming, thermoforming, andcombinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the hollow body member further comprisesusage instructions thereupon. Such usage instructions may comprise anironing instruction, such as to: apply the fabric care compositiondirectly to a fabric, preferably by spraying, and then to iron thefabric to reduce wrinkles, soften the fabric, and/or reduce static toprovide the consumer preferred in-wear comfort. If a concentrated fabriccare composition provided, then such usage instructions may comprisedilution instructions, application instructions, and ironinginstructions. For example, such usage instructions may instruct aconsumer to form a fabric care composition by diluting the concentratedfabric care composition with a dilution solvent, preferably water,instruct the consumer to apply the fabric care composition to a fabric,and then instruct the consumer to iron the fabric. Therefore, it ishighly desirable to have dilution instructions in association with thehollow body member containing the concentrated fabric care composition,and/or a preferred spray container, in order to advise the consumer ofthe required/preferred dilution ratios described above. If a separatespray bottle is provided, it may be desirable to add indicia that makesproper dilution easier, e.g., “add one cap of the concentrated fabriccare composition to the spray container, and fill to the mark(indicia)”.

The bottle for the dilutable, concentrated fabric care composition mayoptionally employ the so called “self-draining cap” that avoids spillingwhile providing a measure for easy dosage for dilution.

Examples of the invention are set forth hereinafter by way ofillustration and are not intended to be in any way limiting of theinvention.

EXAMPLE A

A concentrated fabric care kit is provided, containing an empty plasticspray container, and a plastic bottle (i.e., the hollow body member)containing a concentrated fabric care composition. The concentratedfabric care composition is provided according to the followingformulations: TABLE I Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 DTDMAC* as 85%active in water 6.5 0 0 and isopropanol Ditallow oxy ethyl dimethyl 0 100 chloride, 80% active in water and ethanol Dipalmityl ethoxy oxy ethylmono 0 0 14 ethoxyoxyethyl monomethyl ammonium methyl sulfate as 85%active in propylene glycol and water Neodol ® 91-9 0 2 31-tallow(amidoethyl)-2- 3 0 0 tallowimidazoline HCl 0.5 0.2 0.21,2-hexanediol 0 15 25 solvent, minors, and other adjunct balance **balance † balance ‡ materials balance to 100%All percentages are by weight of the concentrated fabric carecomposition.*DTDMAC = Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride.** solvent = deionized water† solvent = propylene glycol and deionized water.‡ solvent = glycerol and water

Example 1 is diluted with tap water, at a dilution ratio of about 1:15,is then sprayed directly onto a fabric (50:50 cotton-polyester blend),and is then ironed. Example 2 is diluted with deionized water, at adilution ratio of about 1:20, is then sprayed directly onto a fabric(50:50 cotton-polyester blend) and is then ironed. Example 3 is dilutedwith water at a dilution ratio of about 1:25, is then sprayed directlyonto a fabric (50:50 cotton-polyester blend) and is then ironed.Examples 1-3 all provided easier ironing, as well as significant wrinklereduction. Dilution instructions are provided on the plastic bottlecontaining the concentrated fabric care composition. Ironinginstructions are provided on the spray bottle as well as the plasticbottle containing the concentrated fabric care composition. The fabriccare compositions described above are substantially free of starch.

EXAMPLE B

Concentrated fabric care compositions of the present invention have thefollowing formulations: TABLE II Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Ex. 9 Ex.10 Ex. 11 DTDMAC/MTTMAC* 10.48 10.48 0 0 0 0 0 10.48 blend, 83% inIsopropanol tallow imidazoline ester 0 0 0 22.0 0 0 0 14.0 100%1-tallow(amidoethyl)-2- 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 tallow imidazoline ester 100%1-tallow(amidoethyl)-2- 14.3 14.3 0 0 0 0 0 0 tallow imidazoline 100%Methyl-1-tallow 0 0 0 0 65 0 0 0 amidoethyl-2-tallow imidazoliniummethyl sulfate 90% in isopropanol (VARISOFT ® 475) Methyl bis(tallow 0 00 0 0 40 0 0 amidoethyl)2- hydroxyethyl ammonium methyl sulfate(VARISOFT ® LM-90) 90% active in isopropanol MTTMAC as 75% in 0 0 0 0 040 0 0 isopropanol Methyl 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 0 bis(oleylcarboxyethyl)2-hydroxy ammonium methyl sulfate 90% in isopropanol HCl 0.85 0.85 0.971.25 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.85 PVP 3.15 0 1.0 8.0 0 0 0 0 Perfume 1.3 1.5 3.0 0.51 0.5 0.8 1.0 PDMS emulsion from 0.3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Dow Corning CalciumChloride trace trace trace trace 0 0 0 trace KATHON ® trace trace tracetrace 0 0 0 trace Liquitint ® Blue 65 trace trace 0 0 0 0 0 trace2-2-Ethyl 1,3- 15 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 hexanediol 1,2-hexanediol 0 25 12 0 0 00 0 2,2,4-Trimethyl 1,3- 0 0 18 0 10 0 0 0 propanediol Solvent, minors,and bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. bal. other adjunct materialsbalance to 100%All percentages are by weight of the concentrated fabric carecomposition.*DTDMAC = Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. MTTMAC = mono tallowtrimethyl ammonium chloride.

EXAMPLE C

A fabric care composition of the present invention was provided havingthe following formulations: TABLE III Ex. 12 Ex. 13 Ex. 14 Ex. 15VARISOFT ® 475 0.2 0 0 0 MTTMAC 90% in isopropanol 0.2 0.3 0 0 DTDMAC70% in water 0.3 0-0.1 0.25 0 Monopalmityl dihydroxyethyl 0 0 0 1 methylammonium chloride 40% in water Dobanol C₁₀E₁₀ 0.5 1 0 2 AlkaquatDMB-451-50 0.1 0 0.1 0.1 1,2-hexanediol 5.0 9.0 0 15 2,2,4-Trimethyl 0 08.0 0 1,3-propanediol Butylated hydroxytoluene 0.1 0.1 0 0.2 Citric acid0.1 0.2 0.2 0.25 Perfume 0.05 0.1 0.05 0.05 solvent, minors, and otherbal. * bal. ** bal. † bal. † adjunct materials balance to 100%All percentages are by weight of the concentrated fabric carecomposition.* solvent = deionized water** solvent = propylene glycol and water† solvent = propylene glycol, glycerol and water

The fabric care compositions in Examples 12-15, are substantially freeof both starch and silicone. When they are applied directly onto analready washed and dried 100% cotton fabric via spraying from a plasticspray container, and the fabric is ironed, the above compositionsprovide easier ironing, reduced static, and enhanced softness. As theabove compositions are substantially free of starch and silicone, theydo not reduce the benefits of previously-used fabric softening actives.Ironing instructions are provided on the spray bottle as well as theplastic bottle containing the fabric care composition.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaningor definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A fabric care method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a clearor translucent fabric care composition comprising: (i) from about 0.01%to about 80% by weight of the composition of fabric softener; (ii) fromabout 0.01% to about 1% of the composition comprising at least aneffective level of principal solvent selected from the group comprisedof 2,2,4-trimethyl 1,3-pentanediol (and ethoxylates), 2-ethyl1,3-hexanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol,1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, hexylene glycol, phenylethyl alcohol (andethoxylates), and mixtures thereof to provide the clear or translucentcomposition; (iii) wherein the composition is substantially free of astarch and substantially free of a silicone; (b) applying the fabriccare composition directly onto a fabric; and (c) ironing the fabric. 2.The fabric care method of claim 1, wherein the fabric care compositionis applied directly onto the fabric by spraying.
 3. The fabric caremethod of claim 1, further comprising the step of laundering the fabricprior to applying the fabric care composition.